Cyclops side panel plastic repair

[dschwandt]

Any good way to fix this??

 

[fcurrier]

 

[mgonitzke]

Super glue won't cut it. If you just glue the repair, it will be loaded in tension,and will break the first time you try to remove the side panel.

I would rough up the areas around the break and use epoxy and fiberglass to repair it. I'm not sure vinylester resin (i.e. "fiberglass resin" typically sold at auto parts stores) will play nice with the plastic. Lay in the fiberglass along the stiffening ribs and wrap around to a portion of the side panel itself.

Anybody know what kind of plastic those are?

Or you could convert to 82 series sheetmetal; a much bigger project, but no more problems...

 

[dschwandt]

You have me curious, Matt
What all is involved w/the sheet metal conversion.
The plastic grill shell is still available I believe.
What in the world were they thinking when they made this stuff out of plastic for Pete's sake??

 

[jstertz]

Dave--if you browse down through this section of the forum, you will see several threads that show a conversion to '82 series sheet metal on a Cyclops tractor. Steve B. Had started that type of conversion on a 2182 but sent that project down the road when he took possession of his oil burner. He could probably give some insight here. I know that it would take a tower exchange and some logistical stuff with fuel tank, battery, etc. I have never done this conversion but if I could get the right cyclops, I would give it a shot!

 

[dschwandt]

Yeah, that sounds pretty involved.
Don't know if I want to go that route.
Biggest issue right off is an intermittent start problem I believe is linked to the brake safety switch.

Can't seem to locate the part in the parts lookup that lists it though.

 

[digger]

I knew I saw it somewhere, LOL

 

[dschwandt]

Thanks Charlie.
Sounds like something right out of Star Wars, Huh??
I picked up a product called Plast-Aid, it's a 2 part mixture hoping tat will stick to this stuff.

Gonna put the rig on the table and see what I can figure out in the way of braces/struts or what have you for the grill shell. Looks as though some PO used a torch on the bolts to undo the right side mount as that area is all scorched and blackened. I think I can fab up a channel or angle of sorts to repair the legs as both are busted right by the front bolt.

I sure hop they saved a lot of $$ by doing this plastic crap. I'll bet the dealers took a lot of grief over it. Then again maybe they reaped big profits selling grill guards and bumpers!!

 

[etopel]

http://3mcollision.com/3m-semi-rigid-parts-repair-08237.html

 

[dschwandt]

Thanks, Ed, I will try that if this Past-Aid don't do the trick. It sure stinks so it oughtta do sumpthin'!!
I did get5 some and mixed it, stuck the broken tab pictured back on the panel and it seems to hold OK. Then I applied a liberal (I hate that word!), more like a thin layer to the front side of the panel and let it set. Have not been home for several days and am anxious to get back to see how it is going to hold up. I think I will add some more to the back side between the ribs to strengthen it some more.

 

[etopel]

Can you fit something between the ribs to bridge the crack and bed it in with your glue? Another piece of plastic or even wood would strengthen the joint.

 

[dschwandt]

Ed, Yes, I'm gonna do that.
We just got back fro a 5 day trip and 1st thing I did when I got home was to check on that panel. Looks to be pretty strong.
I'm gonna fill the cavity between the gussets and imbed a length of long S/S drywall screw in it for reinforcement. Then when that dries, I'll lay the panel at an angle and do the same for each side of it.

There is also one of the screw holes on the hood broken out. I placed a puddle of the stuff around the broken out threads. and that set up really good. Now I think I will build up the area where the screw threaded into the hood itself so I can drill a new hole to thread the screw/stud into.

I'll have to get some pictures up.

 

[jbevans]

I have used JB Weld PlasticWeld. It works great and drys very strong. Just make sure you clean the plastic very good. I used a little brake cleaner and it didn't hurt the plastic. I added several coats to make it super strong.

 

[mhomrighausen]

David S. Here is some things to check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBK8eMLjUSQ, or this stuff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xBIf_fx708.

 

[bpientka]

I have used that same plastic weld kit on snowmobile hoods. As long as you get the right material it seems to hold really well. The best part is being able to reinforce the repair with stainless steel screening.

 

[dschwandt]

Pretty sure I have a success story here, at least the repairs seem to be pretty strong. Used the stuff called Plast-Aid. You can see where it filled the void left by the missing pieces. I still plan on reinforcing the lower legs on the inside with a piece of 1/8" or 3/16" aluminum flat bent to match the lower part of the grill face.

The grill screen was in fine shape, just sun bleached to a dull chalky light grey color. Several apps od Armorall foam tire black seens to have done the trick.

 

[dschwandt]

Here's some more pic's of the "fix"
There is a piece of the gusset missing from this side. Not sure what I could use to fix that. Anyone have a busted panel I could cob a piece from? It was also cracked clear through along the lower inside corner where I have flowed the new plastic to build up the area. Bothe the lower legs were completely broken away from the grill proper. When I removed the side panels, the grill and hood fell clean off onto the ground!

If you use this stuff, use the liquid sparingly. I mixed mine too thin and ended up having 1/2 the powder left and hardly any liquid left. It evaporates really fast once you open the bottle!
Again, surprisingly strong stuff! The grill will stand alone w/the legs clamped to the table!

Here's the grill with the insert in place.
I'll have to clean up the outside of the repair some, sand it down and rattle can a little Cub Cadet beige onto it.

 

[jdiederichs]

David, those repairs look great

 

[jstertz]

Looking good Dave!

 

[mhomrighausen]

David S. Looking real good. AND you are showing everyone how to repair those hood and side panel parts.